Lewis Hamilton struggles 'not nice to see' as Ferrari told they can't rely on seven-time champion

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert has delivered a brutally honest assessment of where things are at for Ferrari and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton joined the iconic Italian outfit ahead of the 2025 campaign with dreams of securing a record-breaking eighth world title, but so far, his time in the red car has been somewhat of a nightmare.

Hamilton's best result in a grand prix came at Imola, where he secured a P4 in front of Ferrari's home crowd, and he won the sprint race at China, which is arguably the only highlight of his short Ferrari stint so far.

However, all too often, teammate Charles Leclerc has got the better of him, whilst Hamilton has been nowhere and with no answers as to why, as evidenced in recent grands prix at Monaco and Spain.

When Hamilton's former team-mate Nico Rosberg was asked at last weekend's Spanish GP what he made of the champion's decline, the former Mercedes star cited the 40-year-old's age as a natural cause of his less impressive results.

Speaking to InstantWithdrawalBettingSites, former F1 driver and pundit Johnny Herbert also shared the sentiment, saying: "You're always going to have your peak and an end of your peak. It's not nice to see.

"I know Charles Leclerc is not happy with the car either, but at least he's getting podium finishes consistently. There have been a couple of poor decisions in Ferrari's strategy and poor communication over the radio, Hamilton doesn't have the synergy with his engineer that he needs. He hasn't found his comfort zone since the sprint win in China."

READ MORE: F1 Results Today: Max Verstappen ruins title hopes with PETULANT late race actions

Johnny Herbert: Ferrari can't rely on Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton's incompatibility with engineer Riccardo Adami has made for awkward listening at times across the first nine race weekends of the year, a stark contrast to the close relationship he built with Peter 'Bono' Bonnington across his 12 years at Mercedes.

Naturally, Hamilton wasn't expected to fit right in at Ferrari alongside Leclerc, who, comparatively, is now arguably as comfortable as an F1 driver could be at a team having raced with the Scuderia since 2019.

Whilst Ferrari may not be able to provide Hamilton nor Leclerc with the ideal machinery to compete for championships, the British icon is clearly struggling and whether that be down to his age, lack of experience with the Ferrari or simply a combination of both as well as the major change to his working environment, Herbert does not predict that things will get better for the legendary racer.

NASCAR HEADLINES: 23XI handed devastating ruling as penalty report confirms race suspension

"Sometimes you don't realise when it's not as easy as it was before, but when you look across the garage and your teammate is outperforming you, then it may click," he said.

"The greats of the sport, at their peak, get the best out of their car. Max Verstappen is doing it right now. Hamilton just can't seem to get the extra he needs anymore. He won't understand why he can't, because he'll feel like he should be able to. But, Leclerc is outperforming you in the same car.

"Leclerc is only going to grow and is in control of Ferrari's future. He's the guy they can rely on, Ferrari can't rely on Lewis Hamilton at this point. It's horrible to say but it's the truth."

READ MORE: Jordan-owned 23XI Racing under threat as NASCAR win huge legal ruling

Related

F1

Scathing Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari verdict issued by Italian media

• Yesterday 18:00

F1 News & Gossip

F1 insider questions Christian Horner Red Bull future if Max Verstappen quits

• April 27, 2025 20:00